It'd make a wonderful change to have the leader of a pluralist democracy who acted on that, who told people just how tough things are going to be, just what's going to have to be done - and, maybe, ran all the risks on the side of honesty, rather than spinning stories and trying to win the headlines every day.

Hong Kong's people will get what they want, despite China's objections. Freedom invariably wins in the end.

I think that if politics is just about getting your backside on important seats, then it's a pretty worthless endeavor.

I suppose I've always carried what is regarded as a bit of unnecessary baggage in Britain. I've always carried the charge that I am an intellectual in politics.

Green politics at its worst amounts to a sort of Zen fascism; less extreme, it denounces growth and seeks to stop the world so that we can all get off.

You don't have to wait until people say they accept everything you say until you are actually prepared to sit down and discuss matters with them.

I believe in trying to get a balance between individual freedom on the one hand and social responsibility on the other.